Mānatthaddhasutta

Saṁyutta Nikāya 7.15

Linked Discourses 7.15

2. Upāsakavagga

2. Lay Followers

Mānatthaddhasutta

Stuck-Up

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

At Sāvatthī.

Tena kho pana samayena mānatthaddho nāma brāhmaṇo sāvatthiyaṁ paṭivasati.

Now at that time a brahmin named Stuck-Up was residing in Sāvatthī.

So neva mātaraṁ abhivādeti, na pitaraṁ abhivādeti, na ācariyaṁ abhivādeti, na jeṭṭhabhātaraṁ abhivādeti.

He didn’t bow to his mother or father, his tutor, or his oldest brother.

Tena kho pana samayena bhagavā mahatiyā parisāya parivuto dhammaṁ deseti.

Now, at that time the Buddha was teaching Dhamma, surrounded by a large assembly.

Atha kho mānatthaddhassa brāhmaṇassa etadahosi:

Then Stuck-Up thought,

“ayaṁ kho samaṇo gotamo mahatiyā parisāya parivuto dhammaṁ deseti.

“The ascetic Gotama is teaching Dhamma, surrounded by a large assembly.

Yannūnāhaṁ yena samaṇo gotamo tenupasaṅkameyyaṁ.

Why don’t I approach him?

Sace maṁ samaṇo gotamo ālapissati, ahampi taṁ ālapissāmi.

If he speaks to me, I’ll speak to him.

No ce maṁ samaṇo gotamo ālapissati, ahampi nālapissāmī”ti.

But if he doesn’t speak, neither will I.”

Atha kho mānatthaddho brāhmaṇo yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā tuṇhībhūto ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi.

Then the brahmin Stuck-Up went up to the Buddha, and stood silently to one side.

Atha kho bhagavā taṁ nālapi.

But the Buddha didn’t speak to him.

Atha kho mānatthaddho brāhmaṇo:

Then Stuck-Up thought,

“nāyaṁ samaṇo gotamo kiñci jānātī”ti tatova puna nivattitukāmo ahosi.

“This ascetic Gotama knows nothing!” And he wanted to go back from there right away.

Atha kho bhagavā mānatthaddhassa brāhmaṇassa cetasā cetoparivitakkamaññāya mānatthaddhaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:

Then the Buddha, knowing Stuck-Up’s train of thought, addressed him in verse:

“Na mānaṁ brāhmaṇa sādhu,

“It’s not good to foster conceit

atthikassīdha brāhmaṇa;

if you want what’s good for you, brahmin.

Yena atthena āgacchi,

You should foster the goal

tamevamanubrūhaye”ti.

which brought you here.”

Atha kho mānatthaddho brāhmaṇo:

Then Stuck-Up thought,

“cittaṁ me samaṇo gotamo jānātī”ti tattheva bhagavato pādesu sirasā nipatitvā bhagavato pādāni mukhena ca paricumbati pāṇīhi ca parisambāhati, nāmañca sāveti:

“The ascetic Gotama knows my mind!” He bowed with his head to the Buddha’s feet, caressing them and covering them with kisses, and pronounced his name:

“mānatthaddhāhaṁ, bho gotama, mānatthaddhāhaṁ, bho gotamā”ti.

“Worthy Gotama, I am Stuck-Up! I am Stuck-Up!”

Atha kho sā parisā abbhutavittajātā ahosi:

Then that assembly was stunned:

“acchariyaṁ vata bho, abbhutaṁ vata bho.

“Oh lord, how incredible, how amazing!

Ayañhi mānatthaddho brāhmaṇo neva mātaraṁ abhivādeti, na pitaraṁ abhivādeti, na ācariyaṁ abhivādeti, na jeṭṭhabhātaraṁ abhivādeti;

This brahmin Stuck-Up doesn’t bow to his mother or father, his tutor, or his oldest brother.

atha ca pana samaṇe gotame evarūpaṁ paramanipaccakāraṁ karotī”ti.

Yet he shows such utmost deference to the ascetic Gotama!”

Atha kho bhagavā mānatthaddhaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ etadavoca:

Then the Buddha said to the brahmin Stuck-Up,

“alaṁ, brāhmaṇa, uṭṭhehi, sake āsane nisīda.

“Enough, brahmin. Get up, and take your own seat.

Yato te mayi cittaṁ pasannan”ti.

For your mind has confidence in me.”

Atha kho mānatthaddho brāhmaṇo sake āsane nisīditvā bhagavantaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:

Then Stuck-Up took his seat and said to the Buddha:

“Kesu na mānaṁ kayirātha,

“Regarding whom should you not be conceited?

kesu cassa sagāravo;

Who should you respect?

Kyassa apacitā assu,

Who should you esteem?

kyassu sādhu supūjitā”ti.

Who is it good to venerate properly?”

“Mātari pitari cāpi,

“Your mother and father,

atho jeṭṭhamhi bhātari;

and also your oldest brother,

Ācariye catutthamhi,

with tutor as fourth.

tesu na mānaṁ kayirātha;

Regarding these you should not be conceited.

Tesu assa sagāravo,

They are who you should respect.

tyassa apacitā assu;

They are who you should esteem.

Tyassu sādhu supūjitā.

And they’re who it’s good to venerate properly.

Arahante sītībhūte,

And when with bent knee, not stiff with conceit,

katakicce anāsave;

show supreme reverence for

Nihacca mānaṁ athaddho,

the perfected ones—cooled,

te namasse anuttare”ti.

their task complete, free of defilements.”

Evaṁ vutte, mānatthaddho brāhmaṇo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

When he had spoken, the brahmin Stuck-Up said to the Buddha,

“abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama …pe…

“Excellent, worthy Gotama …

upāsakaṁ maṁ bhavaṁ gotamo dhāretu ajjatagge pāṇupetaṁ saraṇaṁ gatan”ti.

From this day forth, may the worthy Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”